Dr Zohra Butt

4 minutes

When Zohra first joined the Prosper pilot, she had been a Postdoctoral Researcher with The University of Liverpool for two years. Working within the Institute of Integrative Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, she studied molecular physiology and cell signalling, with specific expertise in oncology and lung disease.

Following Zohra’s year with Prosper, she secured a position as Medical Science Liaison at Pierre Fabre UK & Ireland, where she applies her specialist knowledge to the task of improving patient outcomes and care through education, R&D, collaboration and innovation.

Role on starting Prosper cohort

Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Integrative Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, The University of Liverpool.

Case study conducted

August 2022.

The challenge

Zohra was eager to get expert guidance and support to enable her to plan out the next phase of her career, not just for the immediate short term but over the next five years and beyond. She wanted the chance to get an outside perspective, and gain a more objective view of her career-to-date and aspirations for the future.

“I wanted to know what my strengths were – is my personality better suited to one career over another?”

She was also specifically concerned that there might be a perception in ‘industry’ that postdoc researchers can fail to adapt to the commercial/clinical environment without years of experience in a similar setting.

The Prosper journey

Zohra took full advantage of the range of resources on offer through Prosper, rebuilding her approach to her professional development and career plans from the ground up.

Through the self-assessment tools and individual coaching sessions, Zohra was able to identify her strengths and weaknesses, and embark on a journey of guided self-reflection that helped her to figure out her priorities. The drop-in sessions, group coaching, and buddy scheme allowed her to connect with peers that were facing similar challenges – providing a safe space to discuss anything and everything. Coping strategies and practical advice picked up along the way soon meant she was feeling far less overwhelmed, and able to take a more structured approach to pursuing her longer-term goals.

“I felt very supported by Prosper – it was like I was building myself up again from scratch. It gave me back the confidence I’d lost. I was able to find more time to do the things that I enjoy and in doing so felt happier and more motivated to tackle career issues.”

With renewed confidence, Zohra was able to use Prosper’s various career-focused resources to get a much clearer view of the roads open to her, and where she ultimately wanted to go. She gained an appreciation of just how transferable her skills as a postdoc were, and how those skills were more in-demand outside academia than she had imagined. Sessions with employers gave her insight into how to approach the opportunities she was interested in, and the workshops on interview skills and questions honed her ability to seize them.

“My year with Prosper really helped provide clarity to my career plans, and improved my ability and readiness to showcase my skills.”

Next steps

“My year with Prosper was fulfilling, insightful and more than helpful – I really felt like it had my best interests in mind.”

“Prior to joining Prosper I felt so lost in my career. Unsure what to do next, and not having the confidence to take the next step or any sense of what that step might be. Prosper equipped me with the knowledge and tools I needed to change direction and to aim higher in my job search.”